I was raised Mormon but I'm studying Wicca and...?

There's two reasons to feel guilty. The first is that you still believe in your old faith. You may not like it, but you believe in it. Thus, you feel you are betraying God. In this case, you need to do some soul searching and figure out what you're really looking for.

The second reason is that you feel you are betraying your family, in part because you are afraid it will drive a rift between you and family members. If that's the case, you're going to have to weigh the pros and cons of things. The answer may be putting your studies off until you're out of the house (unless you're out already) and keeping quiet about it afterward, unfortunately. There's a big difference between them knowing you are Wiccan and you regularly discussing it with them.

As far as living a "God centered life," perhaps you should ask you Mom what that means. Is she afraid you will behave unethically? Then explain what you believe and what Wicca teaches. Is she worried about you not having a religious center? What about living a God and Goddess centered life? Unfortunately, if her fear is simply you not worshiping her god, there's nothing to be done about that, because that's simply not your god as a Wiccan. But find out in detail what her objections actually are. Sometimes a clarification of what you are doing and believe solves the problem.

Not telling people is not the same as hiding. While I am completely out in the open about my faith, some of my friends don't know and practically no one outside close friends and family know. Being open means I am willing to discuss it when it naturally comes up. It doesn't mean I announce it to the world.

The other option is to say you prefer to keep your religious beliefs private, if the subject comes up. Plenty of people do. Ultimately, its really not anyone's business.

I know it can be hard without a support system when you're trying to find yourself. I could tell you to just not feel guilty, but that's ultimately not going to be very helpful. In all honesty, you have nothing to feel guilty about. If Wicca makes sense to you and the gods are calling you to follow that path, you should be honest with yourself and follow the path that works for you. Dealing with your mom will be easier since it sounds like she wants to be supportive, she just doesn't know that much about your new path. Try to help her understand your new mindset. You're still following a path that is god-centered in some way (after all, we're still theists), it's just a different expression of god than the one she's used to. Help her be your supporter.

Your sister may not come around for a while. If she's against you being anything other than Mormon, then it'll be difficult with her. The best you can do is explain your path, and if it falls on deaf ears ask her if you can at least agree to disagree and just leave religion out of your relationship with her.

Probably the single most thing you need right now is support from other Pagans and Wiccans who understand what you're going through. I highly recommend getting an account on http://www.witchvox.com/ and building connections with Wiccans and Pagans in your area and turning to them to share your spirituality with. That site has listings for individual Wiccans and Pagans of all sorts as well as for Pagan groups (online and in person) that you can contact. I also recommend checking out any Pagan forum or blogging site and connecting that way. Facebook has a gazillion Pagan oriented pages that could keep you in touch with the community if you're interested. Just explore; the internet is your friend as long as you know how to keep yourself safe.

Keep your chin up. It can be hard to break free from religions that you've been spoon fed all your life, but those feelings of guilt will pass as you feel more comfortable in your identity as a Pagan.

Venus and Hermes Bless

Before I would jump headfirst into Wicca you might want to read the following article which says that the highest form of Wicca or Satanic ritual are Mormon Temples.

http://www.mazeministry.com/resources/books/doombo...

Going away from Mormonism and into Wicca may just land you back in the same church you were trying to get away from.

I found this information while doing research on the LDS History. the History lead me to Freemasonry, which lead me to Wicca, which lead me to Satanic worship, and there I found my own church laced with Satanic Rituals and Symbols. I just found this today and you can bet I am in shock. I will continue to dig.

Although I am a Mormon, I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart. I have a lot at stake here so am letting my conscious guide me as I find my way out of this cult. I was tricked from the beginning as a convert and after many years I decided to stop blindly following and start allowing my mind to work and search out truth.

It will be painful and earthshattering when I finally do this as I love so many people who I know will reject me, but I am willing to pay the price to that Hell as apposed to the one I am now participating in.

I' m not trying to convince you. I am only informing you what I just learned and this forum came up during my search. maybe it is meant to be...

Wishing you the best for you young life

Many Christian demoninations drill that guilt (and fear) into people for the very purpose of preventing them from ever leaving Christianity.

So what you're feeling is normal at this point-- but it gradually goes away when you start embracing what you truly believe. Whether that's Wicca or whatever, once you're following a religion that you truly can embrace because you believe it, part of the transition is the fears and guilt instilled by your old religion falling away.

At this point it's probably better not to go around talking a lot about your conversion or your interest in any other religion... sort it out and grow comfortable in your new faith before opening the door to taking on opposition. It can get ugly with some friends/family members so it's best to wait to be prepared to handle that kind of challenge, and their feelings, and whatever they might throw at you.

But when it comes down to it, there is no going back. When you begin to question your old beliefs to a certain point, you either have to come full circle (finding renewed faith) or you realize you have to move foward (to new beliefs). You just have to keep following it to your own final resolution and accept it.

I wish you luck~

You feel guilty because many cults and religions have safeguards to keep their members fearful of leaving. It could be an overarching concept like you will go to hell, or perhaps your family and friends will ostracize you, you will be made to think you are the problem and not the religion. People specifically in the Mormon faith are conditioned to call people who leave the church apostates who lose the spirit and are lost. They are brainwashed and can't understand the plethora of good logical reasons why the LDS model of business puts people off so much.

You shouldn't feel guilt because the LDS faith puts unreasonable burdens on it's members. Some of the other answers here are apalling, you've done nothing wrong. You are not a betrayer, the only betrayal here is forcing you to believe something like Mormonism or face social punishment, which is ridiculous. Don't fall for their tactics to keep you in, it can feel isolating, I know it may not mean much, but I support you to stay strong and not let religious fanaticism devalue you, it is a lie they have been told to say to disbelievers and I hope you can see through it.

Sweetie, the Abrahamic religions all teach guilt and all preach guilt especially if you turn away from their beliefs. Guilt has been drilled into you since childhood. You haven't been taught anything else so how can you be or feel anything else? At this point in your studies when you are moving away from one religion and just learning about another, feelings of guilt are best handled with "mind over matter" and strength of purpose. The more convinced you become that your decision was the correct decision the more the guilt you feel at making that decision will fade. This will all happen at a much quicker pace once you discover your new spiritual home and become comfortable with new beliefs that you can actually embrace.

Your spiritual home may not be Wicca after all. It may be something entirely different or you may eventually disengage from whatever issues you have with your previous religion and return back to that. Where ever your place lies, don't give up or give in or settle for something less than your "true" spiritual home. There really is nothing like being home and being firmly grounded in your true spiritual foundation gives you the best chance to find your true happiness and purpose.

You feel guilty and alone because of your curiosity. Your mother doesn't believe in mormonism any longer and is now a Christian... something. Your sister sounds militant religious.... something (failed to mention her religious label). And none really support your interest? Are those the facts?

Sounds like the Family Plan. Frankly, I can't quite figure out what your question is. I think its why do you feel guilty? Because you.... are/are not? It's either or, dear. Yes or no. Decide for yourself. It's YOUR life, after all.

If you are feeling guilty there has got to be a problem in what you are doing. As LDS I would say that the "spirit of Christ", is operating in your life and it is not good to ignore it. Guilty is a spiritual warning and acts as pain does when something is wrong with your physical body.

Now for Mormonism, since you are not getting help in your home base and not allowing yourself to hang with LDS friends, I don't think you really have a clue what the religion is about. My opinion, which you can ignore, is to pick up a Book of Mormon and start reading again, and/or contact your Bishop and tell him you need help.

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

And.... you understand that all religion is premised upon that guilty feeling that was drilled into you since birth, right? You don't do X or "god" will punish you. If you DO NOT do Y "god" will punish you. If you do not "believe" what your parents and family believe... they will shun you.

EVERY ONE of these things is designed to instill fear.

You are halfway out of the nonsense that is religion.

First stop blaming Mormonism.

When you leave a job you've been at for 10 years, you feel guilty.

When your kids move out of the house, you feel guilty.

When you sell a car you've had for 10 years, you feel guilty

When you throw out that shirt that you've had since college, you feel guilty.

Welcome to being human. This is normal. EVERYTHING passes with time.

Anyone who wants to pin these feelings on religion specifically, is just looking for a way to justify their lifestyle. But they just look stupid to me.

And Im even a true blue dyed in the wool Mormon.